In search of a better quality of life, fulfilling our dreams to see the world and provide ourselves and young children with invaluable experiences, we sold our home and possessions in London to begin our journey of a lifetime.
Here we will share our tips, stories, successes and failures, not only for our families and friends, but also to assist those who may have similar adventures in mind. We hope also to inspire those who relish the idea of travelling to newer and unfamiliar pastures but do not know how and those who require some evidence it can be done.

25 September 2011

Brazil: More Police Federal Fun And Games

WE thought we had seen the last of Policia Federal in Ilheus. But no such luck. We needed a passport for Kobra as Jamie and the kids are on their way to England for Christmas to see friends and family (I will follow later).

Being born in Brazil makes Kobra entitled to a Brazilian passport. It's easier (from Brazil) than applying for a British one (which would entail mailing the original birth certificate to the British Consulate in Rio De Janeiro, getting a British one and then mailing it to Washington DC for processing and waiting for goodness knows how long for it to return).

We shall apply for Kobra's British when we are in England. It's simpler that way. In the meantime we applied for the Brazilian online. This involved entering all the essential information and receiving an appointment date at Police Federal in Ilheus.

Our appointment was confirmed. We printed it off and then waited for the day. We had a plan, which involved entering our paperwork, returning to Itacare by bus and then, the next day, going by bus to beautiful Boipeba for a small family break.

So when we arrived in Itacare on the morning of our appointment, we booked ourselves into a pousada/guesthouse (we opted for the Piracanga Pousada on the small square), left our bags and computer and then took the bus to Ilheus for the 2.45pm appointment.

Arriving well in time (the bus journey is about two hours, but fairly smooth), we had some lunch first, took a taxi to Police Federal and then the fun started, as usual.

We were told that the appointment venue had been changed and then to go to SAC in the centre where Police Federal now has a passport office. No-one had warned or told us.

We walked to the nearby bus terminal, took a taxi back to Ilheus centre (about R15 or £7) and found the SAC building.

Immediately, we handed in our papers. But shortly after, an officer (the first friendly one we had encountered) gave us some bad news. Talking in Portuguese, he said something to the effect of "Doesn't look too good right now. If you [two] were Brazilian it wouldn't be a problem. But as it is, it's going to be complicated."

He disappeared back into the office. Zenchai played in the dirt with his cars. Jamie and I looked at each other almost in disbelief. Jamie was ready to scream!

Some time later a more senior officer, who looked at you over his glasses whenever he spoke, came out. Again, talking in fast Portuguese and sounding rude, he said he couldn't process the application. We weren't clear why.

His friendlier colleague came out to explain further, telling us we needed to come again the next morning (8am).

'YOU MUST BE JOKING' were the words ringing in my head.

We contemplated getting a bus back to Itacare, where all our belongings were, or staying the night in Ilheus.

After calculating the costs - and inconvenience - we opted to stay in Ilheus. The expense of staying one night added up to the same to travelling to Itacare and back the next day. Nice 'pousadas' are hard to find in Ilheus, though. We searched and got one that was (barely) acceptable.

It meant, though, that we were paying for three places to stay on one night (remember, we are also renting a house in Piracanga)!

Up in time for breakfast, we then made our way to Police Federal again. Jamie tried to adopt a more positive attitude. I did the same.

What could be the problem? We'd spoken to people who'd successfully applied. We'd had two Brazilians read the 'necessary documents' page on the government website. We felt prepared.

We were positive, but I also was ready for anything. Never take anything for granted. This was Police Federal after all.

Jamie and I looked at each other when we presented our documents to an officer who had turned us away several months ago when we tried for temporary residency. Bad sign?

He came out several minutes later and, in his high-pitched voice, explained to us he could start the process and have a passport issued, but that we would need to go to the other Police Federal to make and sign a declaration.

We groaned, but accepted.

The passport would be ready for collection after eight working days and only one of the parents (provided he or she has the child's birth certificate and his or her passport) needed to pick it up.

Quickly, we took a taxi to Police Federal (again). We had a bus to catch to Itacare. We asked for the relevant officer before Jamie was taken to an office. Zenchai and I waited. It took more than an hour. Zenchai was getting hungry. I could hear Kobra becoming restless.

Then it was my turn. We were asked all sorts of questions about our visit and stay in Brazil and then told to sign a statement. We also were issued with another fine - the maximum one (over R800 each) - for overstaying our visa.

The officer explained that we would have to pay it when next entering Brazil, but we couldn't return until next January (2012), a year since we last entered the country.

Once finished, we left Police Federal (hopefully for the final time) and walked to the bus station, luckily in time to catch our ride to Itacare, which leaves every hour.

Relieved, we got to Itacare and decided to stay the night before, finally, heading to Boipeba.